Strawberry plant named &#39;merit&#39;

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to a new and distinct variety of strawberry plant named ‘MERIT’. This new strawberry plant named ‘MERIT’ is primarily adapted to the growing conditions of the central coast of California, and is primarily characterized by its small fruit size; orange red to red fruit color; uniformly shaped conical berries; and small sized plant.

LATIN NAME OF THE GENUS AND SPECIES OF THE PLANT CLAIMED

Fragaria ananassa

VARIETY DENOMINATION

‘MERIT’

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct strawberry variety named ‘MERIT’. This new variety is a result of a controlled cross made in 2001 in an ongoing breeding program between strawberry variety designated ‘PS-2880’ (patented, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 15,597) and strawberry variety designated ‘PS-4630’ (a non-patented selection). Due to the combining of the reciprocal seed lots it is unknown as to which parent variety is the seed parent and which parent variety is the pollen parent. The variety is botanically known as Fragaria ananassa.

The seedling resulting from the aforementioned cross was selected from a controlled breeding plot in Ventura County, California in the fall of 2003. After its selection, the new variety was asexually propagated by stolons in both San Joaquin County, California and Siskiyou County, California. The new variety was extensively tested over the next several years in fruiting fields in Ventura County, California. This propagation has demonstrated that the combination of traits disclosed herein as characterizing the new variety are fixed and remain true to type through successive generations of asexual reproduction.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

‘MERIT’ is primarily adapted to the climate and growing conditions of the central coast of California. The nearby Pacific Ocean provides the needed humidity and moderate temperatures to produce a strong vigorous plant and maintain fruit quality during the fall production months.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be unique characteristics of ‘MERIT’, which in combination distinguish this strawberry plant as a new and distinct variety:

-   -   1. Small fruit size;     -   2. Orange-red to red fruit color;     -   3. Uniformly shaped, conical berries;     -   4. Small sized plant;     -   5. Fruiting trusses that are visible above the foliage; and     -   6. Relatively short fruiting trusses

The strawberry varieties that are believed to be most closely related to the new strawberry variety ‘MERIT’ are the strawberry variety ‘VALOR’ (patented, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 20,394) and the strawberry variety ‘PREMIER’ (patented, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 20,309). In side-by-side comparisons to the similar strawberry varieties ‘VALOR’ and ‘PREMIER’, the new strawberry variety ‘MERIT’ differs by the following combination of characteristics as described in Table 1:

TABLE 1 ‘VALOR’ ‘PREMIER’ Characteristic ‘MERIT’ (US PP 20,394) (US PP 20,309)  1. Color of mature fruit Ranges from Ranges from Ranges from orange red to red red to dark red red to dark red  2. Fruit size Small Medium Medium  3. Marketable yield (gm/plt) 503 529 393  4. Plant size Ranges from medium Medium Medium to small  5. Stolon anthocyanin intensity Weak Ranges from weak Ranges from weak to medium to medium  6. Stolon pubescence Weak Strong Medium  7. Color of upper surface Medium green Ranges from medium Ranges from medium to dark green to dark green  8. Interveinal leaf blistering Ranges from medium Medium Medium to strong  9. Foliage gloss Medium Medium Ranges from medium to strong 10. Serrations/leaf 20.3 22.7 25.9 11. Petiole length (cm) 14.2 17.4 15.5 12. Petiolule length (mm) 11.9 17.8 11.8 13. Terminal leaf shape of base Acute Obtuse Obtuse 14. Fruiting truss length 24.3 29.7 30.8 at maturity (cm) 15. Fruiting truss pubescence Medium Ranges from Strong medium to strong

For identification a series of molecular markers have been determined for this new variety.

‘MERIT’ differs from its parents, ‘PS-2880’ and ‘PS-4630’ by the following combination of characteristics as described in Table 2.

TABLE 2 ‘PS-2880’ Characteristic ‘MERIT’ (US PP 15,597) ‘PS-4630’ 1. Fruit size Small Medium Large 3. Plant size Small Medium to large Medium to large 4. Insertion of achenes Level with Above the Level with surface surface surface 5. Type of bearing Everbearing Everbearing June bearing

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying color photographs illustrate the overall appearance of typical specimens of the new strawberry variety ‘MERIT’, at various stages of development as true as it is reasonably possible with color reproductions of this type. Color in the photographs may differ slightly from the color value cited in the botanical descriptions which accurately describe the color of ‘MERIT’. The depicted plant and plant parts of the new strawberry variety ‘MERIT’ are approximately 3 to 4 months old. The photographs were taken in Ventura County, California:

FIG. 1 shows typical fruiting field characteristics of ‘MERIT’ taken in the month of October 2009;

FIG. 2 shows a close-up view of a typical leaf structure of ‘MERIT’ taken in the month of October 2009;

FIG. 3 shows typical mature and immature field fruit of ‘MERIT’ taken in the month of October 2009;

FIG. 4 shows a close-up view of mature fruit of ‘MERIT’ taken in the month of November 2009;

FIG. 5 shows typical internal and external mature fruit characteristics of ‘MERIT’ taken in the month of November 2009.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The new variety ‘MERIT’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The characteristics of the new variety ‘MERIT’ may vary in detail, depending upon variations in environmental factors, including weather (temperature, humidity and light intensity), day length, soil type and location. In addition, the characteristics of any parental variety or comparison variety included in Tables 1-9 of the present invention may vary in detail, depending upon variations in environmental factors, including weather (temperature, humidity and light intensity), day length, soil type and location.

The aforementioned photographs, together with the following description of the new variety ‘MERIT’, unless otherwise noted, are based on observations taken during the 2009 growing season in Ventura County, California. These measurements and ratings were taken from plants of ‘MERIT’ dug from a low-elevation nursery located in San Joaquin County, California during the month of January 2008 and planted approximately 6 months later in Ventura County, California. The approximate age of the observed plants is 3 to 4 months. Yield observations and fruit quality characteristics are averaged from four years of data collected from the 2006 through 2009 growing seasons. Flower measurements and characteristics are from secondary flowers unless otherwise noted. Fruit characteristics and measurements are from secondary fruit unless otherwise noted.

Color terminology where noted follows The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, London (2007).

The following tables 3-9 describe fruit, plant, stolon, foliage, fruiting truss, flower and pest disease characteristics of the new strawberry ‘MERIT’ in comparison to the similar strawberry variety ‘VALOR’ and strawberry variety ‘PREMIER’.

TABLE 3 FRUIT CHARACTERISTICS 'VALOR' 'PREMIER' Characteristic 'MERIT' (US PP 20,394) (US PP 20,309) Color of mature fruit RHS 34B RRHS 46A RHS 46A Ranges from orange red Ranges from red to Ranges from red to to red dark red dark red Color of internal flesh RHS 34C RHS 45A RHS 45A Orange red Ranges from medium Ranges from medium to dark red to dark red Fruit length (cm) 3.8 4.0 4.2 Fruit width (cm) 3.3 3.6 3.5 Fruit length/width ratio 1.14 1.12 1.22 Slightly longer Slightly longer Slightly longer than broad than broad than broad Calyx diameter (cm) 3.8 4.1 4.6 Average fruit weight (gm) 18.1 21.5 21.9 Achene color, shaded side RHS 160B RHS 160A RHS 160B Greyed yellow group Greyed yellow group Greyed yellow group Achene color, sun exposed side RHS 184B RHS 183A RHS 183A Greyed purple group Greyed purple group Greyed purple group Achenes per berry 324 331 286 Achene weight (mg) 0.50 0.50 0.60 Marketable fruit yield (gm/plt) 503 529 393 Fruit Size Small Medium Medium Predominant fruit shape Conical Conical Conical Difference in shapes Slight Ranges from slight to None to very slight between primary and moderate secondary fruit Band without achenes Absent or very narrow Absent or very narrow Absent or very narrow Unevenness of fruit surface Absent or very weak Weak Absent or very weak Evenness of fruit color Even Even Ranges from slightly uneven to even Fruit glossiness Ranges from Ranges from Ranges from medium to strong medium to strong medium to strong Insertion of achenes Level with surface Ranges from level with Level with surface to below the surface Insertion of calyx In the basin In the basin In the basin Attitude of the calyx Spreading Spreading Spreading Size of calyx in relation Slightly larger Slightly larger Much larger to fruit diameter Adherence of calyx Strong Strong Strong Firmness of fruit skin Medium Strong Medium Firmness of fruit flesh Firm Firm Medium Keeping quality Very good Very good Good Distribution of red color Marginal and central Marginal and central Marginal and central of the flesh Hollow center expression Moderate Absent or very weak Weak Fruit flavor Ranges from good Good Good to very good Soluble solids (% brix) 8.8 7.8 8.3 Time of first flowering Early Medium Medium Time of first harvesting Early Medium Medium Harvest period Late September to Late September to Late September to mid December mid December mid December Type of bearing Everbearing Everbearing Everbearing

TABLE 4 PLANT CHARACTERISTICS ‘VALOR’ ‘PREMIER’ Characteristic ‘MERIT’ (US PP 20,394) (US PP 20,309) Plant height (cm) 24.1 25.9 25.6 Plant spread (cm) 29.0 31.6 33.5 Plant size Ranges from medium Medium Medium to small Plant habit Globose Globose Globose Plant density Medium Medium Medium Plant vigor Medium Medium Medium

TABLE 5 STOLON CHARACTERISTICS ‘VALOR’ ‘PREMIER’ Characteristic ‘MERIT’ (US PP 20,394) (US PP 20,309) Stolon color RHS 145A RHS 144A RHS 145A Yellow green group Yellow green group Yellow green group Stolon anthocyanin coloration RHS 180D RHS 180A RHS 181 B Greyed red group Greyed red group Greyed red group Stolon anthocyanin intensity Weak Ranges from weak Ranges from weak to medium to medium Average stolon number 2.4 6.4 8.5 per plant from the fruiting field Stolon diameter at bract (mm) 3.1 3.3 3.6 Stolon pubescence Weak Strong Medium Attltude of hairs Upwards Upwards Upwards

TABLE 6 FOLIAGE CHARACTERISTICS ‘VALOR’ ‘PREMIER’ Characteristic ‘MERIT’ (US PP 20,394) (US PP 20,309) Foliage: Color of upper surface RHS 137A RHS N137B RHS N137B Medium green Medium to dark green Medium to dark green Color of underside RHS 147C RHS 147C RHS 147C Yellow green group Yellow green group Yellow green group Shape in cross section Slightly concave to flat Slightly concave to flat Slightly concave Interveinal blistering Ranges from medium Medium Medium to strong Leaf glossiness Medium Medium Ranges from medium to strong Number of leaflets Three Three Three Terminal Leaflet: Length (cm) 8.9 8.6 9.6 Width (cm) 7.6 8.7 8.6 Length/width ratio 1.18 0.99 1.11 Longer than broad As long as broad Longer than broad Serrations/leaf 20.3 22.7 25.9 Leaf size Ranges from Medium Medium medium to small Shape of base Acute Obtuse Obtuse Shape of teeth Obtuse Obtuse Obtuse Petiole: Petiole Color RHS 144A RHS 144A RHS 144A Yellow green group Yellow green group Yellow green group Petiole length (cm) 14.2 17.4 15.5 Petiole diameter (mm) 3.4 4.2 4.3 Petiolule color RHS 144A RHS 144A RHS 144A Yellow green group Yellow green group Yellow green group Petiolule length (mm) 11.9 17.8 11.8 Petiole pubescence Moderate Sparce Sparce Attitude of hairs Strongly outward Slightly outward Slightly outward Stipule: Color RHS 146A RHS 146A RHS 146B Yellow green group Yellow green group Yellow green group Anthocyanin coloration RHS 63A RHS 61A RHS 61A Red purple group Red purple group Red purple group Anthocyanin intensity Weak Weak Medium Length (mm) 22.2 21.3 24.8 Width (mm) 8.6 10.4 11.3

TABLE 7 FRUITING TRUSS CHARACTERISTICS ‘VALOR’ ‘PREMIER’ Characteristic ‘MERIT’ (US PP 20,394) (US PP 20,309) Anthocyanin coloration RHS 181D RHS 181C RHS 181B Greyed red group Greyed red group Greyed red group Anthocyanin intensity Absent or very weak Absent or very weak Medium Length at maturity (cm) 24.3 29.7 30.8 Position relative to foliage Above the foliage Level with the foliage Ranges from level with to beneath the foliage Pubescence Medium Ranges from Strong medium to strong Attitude at first pick Prostrate Prostrate Prostrate

TABLE 8 FLOWER CHARACTERISTICS ‘VALOR’ ‘PREMIER’ Characteristic ‘MERIT’ (US PP 20,394) (US PP 20,309) Petal color RHS NN155C RHS NN155C RHS NN155C White White White Sepal color RHS 137A RHS 137A RHS 137A Green group Green group Green group Corolla diameter (mm) 31.0 30.1 35.3 Calyx diameter (mm) 29.8 31.2 33.9 Petal length (mm) 11.7 11.3 13.4 Petal width (mm) 12.0 11.1 12.7 Petal length/width ratio 0.98 1.02 1.05 Petals/flower 6.2 5.7 5.8 Sepal length (mm) 11.0 10.5 12.3 Sepal width (mm) 3.2 4.7 5.8 Sepal length/width ratio 3.41 2.23 2.11 Sepals/flower 11.8 11.4 11.6 Size of calyx relative to Ranges from same Larger Larger corolla size to smaller Size of inner calyx Smaller Smaller Smaller relative to outer calyx Relative position of petals Overlapping Ranges from touching to Overlapping overlapping

TABLE 9 PEST AND DISEASE REACTIONS ‘VALOR’ ‘PREMIER’ Characteristic ‘MERIT’ (US PP 20,394) (US PP 20,309) Two spotted spider mite Moderately Moderately Moderately susceptible susceptible susceptible Flower thrips Moderately Moderately Moderately susceptible susceptible susceptible Powdery mildew Moderately Susceptible Susceptible susceptible Botrytis fruit rot Moderately Moderately Moderately susceptible susceptible susceptible Angular leaf spot Moderately Moderately Susceptible resistant susceptible 

1. A new and distinct variety of Fragaria ananassa named ‘MERIT’, as herein described and illustrated by the characteristics set forth above. 